Enough is enough. Vote PR for total change to bring about a Better Malaysia for All.

Speech by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat at DAP dinner held in Bercham, Ipoh on Sunday, May 13, 2012

Enough is enough. Vote PR for total change to bring about a Better Malaysia for All.  

Malaysians created political history in the 2008 general election when they dealt BN its worst ever electoral defeat.

Not only was BNs traditional two thirds parliamentary majority was smashed, the Opposition gained power in Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Kelantan.

On April 28 this year, Malaysians created another history when 200,000 people of all races took part in the Bersih 3.0 sit in protest to demand free and fair elections. 

Before the event, Home Minister Datuk Hishamuddin had said that the event did not pose a security threat to the nation, adding that the civil rights movement’s demands had gained little traction with the public.

“April 28 is not an issue,” he told reporters.

He was certainly right to say that the event was not a security issue but so wrong to say that the demands had gained little traction with the public. 

On April 28, courageous Malaysians rose to the occasion and made Bersih 3.0 protest a bigger success than Bersih 2.0.

Undoubtedly, 428 will go down in history as a historic day for Malaysians’ struggle for free and fair elections. 

Since 428, BN government and leaders have been trying to demonize the event; with Hishammuddin himself even claiming that some people had wanted serious fatalities and deaths at Bersih 3.0 event.

Let me tell the government that neither propaganda nor lies can work.

Instead of trying to defend what is indefensible, the government should show its commitment to investigate all violence and return justice to the victims.

It will be futile for the BN government to try to divert public focus or attention from the issue of excessive use of police force.

With hand phone, iPod, face book and YouTube, the people can see all the facts.

The government must realise that people who want a credible and impartial Panel to investigate the violence will definitely not accept Tun Hanif as the Panel Chairman. 

While speaking at a recent function in Kelantan, the Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib said the 428 

demonstration was an attempt by irresponsible parties to overthrow the Government.

 “To these people, I challenge them to fight' at the ballot box. If you are anak jantan (man), let us fight there.”

Let me repeat tonight my earlier challenge to him-if you are a true reformist; let’s fight fair and square in the coming general election. Implement the 8 Bersih demands before the next general election if you want to fight fair and square. Prove to Malaysians that you are not afraid to fight fair and square at the ballot box.

At the 66 th Umno celebration held on Friday at Bukit Jalil Stadium, Najib had set out 7 principles in guiding the people how to vote at the coming general election.

I will not outline any principle or suggest any question, but will ask Malaysians to help spread a simple, important message—Enough is enough. Vote PR for total change to bring about a Better Malaysia for All.